Gum Graft Surgery
Gum recession or thin gums can be treated with gum transplant surgery. Gum grafting provides volume to your gum line and covers exposed tooth roots, enhancing your dental health as a whole. The average time for recovery is one to two weeks, although it could take longer. Gum grafting has a high rate of success and can lower your chance of developing serious gum disease.
How do gum grafts work?
An example of dental surgery is a gum transplant. It treats gum recession, a condition where the gums separate from the teeth and the tooth roots are visible. If the roots of your teeth are exposed, you are more likely to experience dental decay, sensitivity, and bone loss around your teeth. Gum grafting replaces the tissue around your teeth that has deteriorated, improving your overall oral health.
Gum grafting surgery is typically carried out by a periodontist (a gum specialist). A periodontist in the United States completes a four-year dental education program and an additional three years of specialized training.
Who needs to have gum grafting?
If you have gum recession, your dentist might advise gum grafting. Although receding gums are frequently a sign of advanced gum disease, some people are also genetically predisposed to the condition. Gum recession might also happen if you brush too vigorously.
What’s the gum graft recovery timeline?
One week after your gum graft, your surgeon will likely want to check on its progress. Then, until your periodontist releases you back to your normal dentist for ongoing care, you will have routine follow-ups.
You may have some bleeding, edema, and discomfort after your operation. Take all medications exactly as directed by your surgeon to manage these adverse effects. Rest a lot and steer clear of intense activity.
Consume chilled, soft foods like yogurt, pudding, or smoothies.
Make sure you use an antimicrobial mouthwash to keep the surgical region clean. Avoid brushing or flossing on the gum graft because doing so could harm it and cause it to fail. (As long as it doesn't make you uncomfortable, you can clean and floss your other teeth.)
Within the first 24 to 48 hours, the bleeding should stop. Three to four days will pass before the swelling stops. During this time, you can also bruise. These side effects are typical and ought to go away in a week. Take all prescribed drugs as directed.
As you are able, include more soft foods in your diet, such as eggs, pasta, fish, and cooked vegetables.
Brush your teeth gently in the vicinity of the surgical site, but avoid brushing your gums directly. Until your surgeon gives the all-clear, wait to brush or floss near the gum graft.
Your comfort level should continue to rise as the swelling and bruises start to subside. When it is okay to start reducing your medication dosage, ask your surgeon.
You can add additional solid foods as your comfort level rises. But you should continue to avoid spicy, crunchy, or hard meals until your surgeon gives the all-clear.
You can continue your regular brushing and flossing routine as soon as your surgeon indicates it's okay to do so.
